New Delhi: The United Nations has raised concern over the threat of nuclear terrorism, warning that even one such attack could have global humanitarian, environmental and economic fallout. The warning comes as security experts point to risks ranging from “dirty bombs” to possible strikes on nuclear power plants, stolen nuclear weapons and improvised nuclear devices.
The threat remains rare, with no nuclear terrorist attack recorded since nuclear technology emerged around 80 years ago. Yet the UN-linked warning places it in the “low in terms of probability, high in terms of impact” category. In simple words, it may not happen easily, but if it does, the damage could be huge and messy.
UN official says threat has never been so high
Mauro Miedico, Director of the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, said the concern has grown because terrorist groups are using newer tools and skills.
“I think the threat has never been so high as it is today,” Miedico said. He added, “Terrorist groups and individuals engage much more strongly with new technologies. Terrorist groups have recruited experts, including AI specialists, and we have seen the use of drones in terrorist acts. This potentially makes it more possible that they will launch a dirty bomb via drone.”
That is the scary part. The old image of terrorism was guns and explosives. Now the worry includes drones, AI skills and radioactive material. It sounds like a thriller plot, but officials are treating it as a serious security gap.
Dirty bombs, stolen material and nuclear plant risks
The report notes that there is no strict definition of nuclear terrorism. Possible examples include dirty bombs, attacks on nuclear power plants, stolen nuclear weapons and improvised nuclear devices.
There have already been recorded incidents of radiological material being smuggled or stolen. In 2021, Tajikistan reported that 133 tablets containing uranium dioxide were stolen, possibly for trafficking within the country or Afghanistan.
Why the nuclear terror treaty matters
The UN Office of Counter-Terrorism says stronger laws are needed to prevent terrorism involving nuclear and radioactive material. At a May meeting linked to the 2026 Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, speakers urged countries to join the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism, known as ICSANT.
The treaty helps countries criminalise nuclear terrorism and work together on investigations, information sharing and prevention. Around 66 countries have still not joined it.
“We haven’t had any examples of nuclear terrorism so far,” Miedico said, “and that’s partly due to the mechanisms that are currently in place, but we need to continue supporting Member States’ efforts, to make sure that it never happens.”